Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha has urged the federal government to
partner with the state government through its interventionary
programmes on agriculture to boost cassava production in the state.
The governor who stated this when the minister of Agriculture, Dr.
Akinwumi Adesina paid him a courtesy visit in government house, stated
that with third position in cassava production in the country, Imo has
the potentials of producing enough cassava flour for local consumption
and export under the federal government agricultural revolution
scheme.
He said “Imo is an Agulerian state with vast agricultural potentials.
We presently occupy third position in cassava production which means
that our state has the potentials of producing enough cassava flour
for local consumption and large commercial quantity for export if
federal government partners with us. Apart from creating massive job
opportunities, the programme also has the capacity to diversify our
economy which presently depends on crude oil.”
Gov. Okorocha disclosed that the state government has taken proactive
steps in the agricultural sector which led to the concessioning of Imo
Palm Plantation formerly known as Adapalm to Roche Group through which
about N3.5 billion was generated.
He added that efforts are being intensified to ensure that the
moribund Avutu Poultry is revived to function on its optimal capacity
while arrangements are already perfected to plant improved variety of
palm seedlings in each of the 27 local government areas.
Gov. Okorocha further expressed that the government has engaged the
services of some agricultural experts from South agricultural under
Rural Agricultural Programme (RAP) for massive food production,
disclosing that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the state
government and Republic of Kosovo has been signed on the exportation
of agricultural produce from the state.
Earlier, the Minister, Dr. Adesina said that federal government has
concluded plans to build an Industrial cassava plant in Imo state to
harness its potentials in cassava production.
He disclosed that under the ongoing agricultural revolution in the
country, federal government would assist Imo state government would
assist Imo state government to actualize its bid of reviving the Avutu
poultry.
He applauded the developmental strides of Gov. Okorocha on the
infrastructural development of the state and the policies and
programmes introduced to ensure food security in the state.
